For Non Swimmers
Courses Offered : PADI Seal Team Course, PADI Bubblemaker Program, PADI Scuba Diver Course and more
Scuba diving in Pondicherry means boat dives to more than 20 offshore sites, including artificial reefs, walls and wrecks. The artificial reefs work as fish aggregation devices (FADs), drawing in many different kinds of fish, and divers here also see turtles and rays. Here are quick answers to the usual questions before you book.
A first dive with PADI Discover Scuba Diving costs ₹4,500 to ₹6,500 per person, depending on the option you choose. It includes pool training, equipment, the boat, your instructor, and photos and videos when it is safe to take them.
PADI certification starts at ₹20,000 for the 2-day Scuba Diver course and ₹30,000 for the Open Water Diver course. Certified divers can join fun dives from ₹5,000, plus equipment rental if you need it. All prices are plus 18% GST.
It isn't from a beach. Ocean dives here are boat dives. You start at our dive centre on St. Theresa Street, then make your way to our private harbour, the UNA Harbour, where our boat takes you out to the dive site.
We don't provide transport between the centre and the harbour, but we're happy to connect you with local partners.
You can dive in the ocean from 10 years old, and children from 8 can try scuba in a swimming pool with the PADI Bubblemaker and Seal Team programmes.
There is no upper age limit if you are in good health. If you are over 45 or have a health condition, check with a doctor first. The PADI Medical Questionnaire shows what to look out for.
Our boats go out between 7 AM and 3 PM, and you can book a slot from 6:30 AM to 2 PM. A first dive takes about 4 to 6 hours in all, including the pool session, depending on how comfortable you feel.
We suggest doing the pool session the day before, so you can head out early the next morning when the sea is usually at its calmest. The dive centre is open every day from 6:30 AM to 9 PM.
February to October, when the sea is usually calm, the water is around 28 to 30°C and visibility is good. Whale sharks are sometimes spotted in August.
From November to early February, cyclonic spells can stop boat trips. Courses then carry on in the pool and at an inland freshwater quarry.
Not for a first dive. PADI Discover Scuba Diving needs no swimming skills, and you stay within 12 metres with your instructor beside you.
Certification courses start with a short water skills check: a 10-minute float for the Scuba Diver course, plus a 200-metre swim (or 300 metres with mask, fins and snorkel) for Open Water. Once certified, you can explore sites from 15 to 60 metres deep, within the limits of your training.
Ready to book or still deciding? WhatsApp us on +91 93852 30820 with your dates and we'll help you choose.
Urban Nomad Adventures had a serendipitous start in 2017. Our founder, Apurva Dutta, was on a casual vacation to Pondicherry when the opportunity to start a dive centre presented itself through an old friend. An adventurer at heart, he said yes without hesitation. The spur of the moment decision, fuelled by a lifelong relationship with water, marked the beginning of Urban Nomad.
As a former national-level springboard diver and scholarship athlete at the Australian Institute of Sports, water had always been his second home. But it was the ocean where he found a true sense of belonging, where thrill met serenity, and passion evolved into purpose and community.
Read Our StoryUrban Nomad Adventure (UNA) is not just a dive school - it's a community of explorers & ocean lovers committed to helping you discover, grow, & reconnect with nature in a meaningful way.
Affiliated to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) - the world's largest diver training agency we are committed to providing the highest quality of dive education at par with PADI's global standards, while prioritising safety & having fun.
Extensive experience in professional sports & adventure tourism have instilled in us a safety first mindset. Your comfort, confidence, & wellbeing are our highest priority.
Experience a smooth ride to dive sites on our custom-built boats, equipped with twin engines & a canopy for comfort. Cruising at 25 knots, they make reaching both nearby & far-off premium dive sites quick & effortless.
We strictly follow a 4:1 students to instructor ratio for pool training, courses, & fun dives; & a 1:1 ratio for experience programs.
Give your child the chance to discover the magic of the underwater world in a safe, supportive, and fun-filled setting. Our scuba diving programs for kids are specially designed to introduce young explorers to the basics of diving through games, shallow water activities, and guided sessions with experienced instructors.
Explore Kids' CoursesExplore a variety of breathtaking dive sites, from vibrant coral reefs to mysterious underwater landscapes. Each spot offers a unique adventure for divers of all levels.
These are the experiences and stories shared by our guests who've explored the ocean with us. Their words reflect the adventures, memories, and connections we've built together.
Stay informed with expert tips, diving news, safety updates, and stories from beneath the surface-curated for passionate divers and ocean explorers.
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